Two years ago, 15 of the best Spanish female footballers stood up to the Federation because they felt that things were not being done properly.
Their pressure strategy was to refuse to play for the Spanish national team. The problem was solved, although not entirely. The players got back on track and Spain was proclaimed world champion.
The Federation Continues to Disappoint the Players
Many things have changed since then. The president of the Federation, Luis Rubiales, has disappeared, as has the coach, Jorge Vilda.
Something has been achieved in women's soccer, although there have been some details that haven't pleased the players. This is the case of the awarding of medals to the Super Cup winners. Nobody bothered coming down onto the field to place them on the girls.
There are still some players who keep their stance of boycott, such as Barcelona center-back Mapi León. However, almost all others are already in the national team.
But conflicts that the Federation could avoid keep arising. For example, the one now affecting the Barça players who have been drafted to play a friendly in Cartagena against South Korea.
They Will Not be at the Gala for the 125th Anniversary of Barça
Given the friendly nature of the match, FC Barcelona tried to dismiss its international players. The aim was for them to attend the club's 125th anniversary gala.
As an experiment, coach Montse Tomé could have tried to form a Spanish team without Barça. This would've worked as a response to the rumors that the distance between the blaugrana team and the others has been shortened.
But no. Barça wanted to involve its players in the gala celebration of the 125th anniversary. A way of showing its feminist stance and giving value to the contribution of the women's team to the life of the club.
Neither Montse Tomé nor the Federation wanted to collaborate with the blaugrana cause, as if every day the clubs turned 125 years old. The gala is on November 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gran Teatre del Liceu and will be attended by 2,000 people.
Alexia was Saved at the Last Minute
Among them, Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the last two Ballon d'Ors, won't be able to attend. At the last minute, Alexia Putellas was saved and confirmed her presence. An injury will prevent her from playing in Spain's game.
The anger at Barça is huge, also among the players. If they were looking for an excuse to create a bad atmosphere in the national team, they have found it. Let us remember that the Barça players in the Spanish team are the majority: seven in total.
They've been trying to irritate them by opening new wounds to distance them from the Federation.
Alexia will be able to be present as a representative of the others. However, the other seven invited participants will not be present. These are Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Jana Fernández, Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina and Vicky López .